Slicing machine



Dc. 1, 1936. VOLLMER 2,062,847

SLIGING MACHINE Filed May 51; 1934 2 She ets-Sheet l m m Mi 39 57 u H wINVENTOR' Earl Vqllmer r 2770 ATTORN EY5 Dec. 1, 1936. E. c. VOLLMERSLICING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 51, 1954 INVENTOR Earl CJollmer ATTORN EY5 l atentecl Dec. 1, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE2,062,847 sLIoING MACHINE ration of Delaware Application May 31, 1934,Serial No. 728,353

13 Claims.

This invention relates to slicing machines and more particularly toslicing machines for producing a plurality of slices in a singleoperation.

In many types of commercial slicing machines, it is common practice toprovide one or two reciprocable blade frames which carry a plurality ofcutter blades, and a crank and cross head construction for reciprocatingthe blade frames. In order to reduce vibration it is desirable to formthe blade frames and cross heads of a metal such as aluminum or aluminumalloy which is light in weight, but the one objectionable feature indoing this is that due to the generation of frictional heat within themachine and the absorption of heat from the articles being sliced, suchas results between the movable and stationary parts of the machine, suchparts heat up and cause binding of the movable parts with their guides.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a blade frameand cross head construction for slicing machines in which metal having ahigh coefficient of expansion as compared with cast iron may be used andwhich will permit expansion of the blade frame and cross head in theirplanes without causing binding thereof.

Another object is to provide a slicing machine blade frame which is freeto expand and yet which is rigidly mounted for reciprocation.

Another object is to provide a reciprocable slicing machine blade framewith means for guiding the frame in which the guiding means is movablein the plane of the frame to permit expansion and contraction of theframe.

Another object is to provide a guided, crank operated blade frame which,although being rigidly guide-d, is free to expand and contract.

A further object is to provide a blade frame and cross head for drivingthe same which are free to expand and contract and which are guided forreciprocation in relatively close fitting bearings.

With the above and other objects in view, the present invention consistsin certain features of construction and combinations of parts to behereinafter described with reference to the accompanying drawings andthen claimed.

In the drawings, which illustrate a suitable embodiment of theinvention,

Figure l is a transverse section through a slicing machine showing thebearing means which permit expansion of the blade frames and crossheads;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary side elevation of the slicing machine shown inFigure 1, portions of the side frame being broken away;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged section taken approximately on line 33 of Fig. 2;and

Fig. 4 is an enlarged section taken approximately on line 44 of Fig. 2.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, in

which like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, Ihave shown for the purpose of illustration a slicing machine having alower frame structure In and an upper frame structure including spacedside frames ll secured to the lower frame structure it.

The slicing mechanism includes a pair of reciprocable blade frames A andB which may be of single piece construction as shown in the drawings, orof built-up construction. Each blade frame carries a series of cutterblades [2, one series being offset with respect to the other so thateach blade of one series lies between a pair of blades of the otherseries and so that if desired the cutting edges of all the blades may bein alignment.

The blade frames A and B are simultaneously reciprocated in oppositedirections by cross heads I3 which are reciprocated by a double throwcrankshaft M, the cross heads l3 and crankshaft [4 preferably beingcarried in a suitable housing [5 which is secured to the frame structureIn.

Each blade frame is provided with lugs l6 secured to or formed integralwith the side pieces ll thereof as shown in Fig. 1, which carrydepending guide rods l8. These guide rods are spaced from the bladeframe side pieces ll and are parallel to the direction of reciprocationof the blade frames. Each guide rod I8 is slidably guided in a guideblock l9, the rod preferably having a close sliding fit in the openingof the guide block. Each guide block is also provided with a lubricantholding chamber for insuring adequate lubrication of the guide rod.

The guide blocks 19 are provided with shank portions 2| and theseportions of the guide blocks at one side of the machine are supported ina bracket 22 secured by bolts 23 to the adjacent side frame I I,suitable pins 2Q extending through the brackets and shank portions 2i tohold the guide blocks at that side of the machine against movement inany direction. Cover plates 25, secured by countersunk screws 26 to theshank portions 2|, may also be employed to provide a neat appearance.

The shank portions 2! of the guide blocks Is at the opposite side of themachine are slidably mounted in the hub portions 21 of a bracket orplate 29 secured by screws 3!] to the adjacent side frame H. If desired,cover plates such as the plates may be secured by screws 3! to the endsof the shank portions 2|, the plates being spaced from the hub portions21 and having lugs 32 which interfit with notches 33 formed in the hubportions 21. i

As before stated, the shank portions ZI- arearranged to slide in alongitudinal direction within the hub portions 21 but they are heldagainst any possible rotational movement by any suitable means, such asthe pins 34 carried by the shank portions 2| and which have a slidingfit with elongated slots 35 formed in the hub portions 21.

Obviously by arranging one of the guide blocks for each blade frame sothat it may have a sliding movement at right angles to the direction ofreciprocation of the blade frame, and parallel to the plane of the bladeframe, the blade frame is free to expand when it absorbs heat withoutcausing any binding of the guides in the guide blocks, thus permittingthe use of close working clearances and obviating the loose fits whichtend to create noise and increase wear, that have been heretoforenecessary in the. use of metal in the blade frames, which has a tendencyto expand when subjected to heat.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, each cross head I3 is provided with aportion 36 which slidably extends through the upper side of the housingI5 and which carries a threaded stud 3! that extends through the lowercross piece 38 of the blade frame, a nut 39 being provided to secure theblade frame to the stud 31!.

Each cross head I3 is guided by a pair of guide rods 40 and 4|, theguide rod 48 being mounted at its upper end in the upper side of thehousing l5 and at its lower end in a lug 42 formed on the adjacentinside face of the housing l5. The guide rod 40 is anchored and rigidlyheld in position by a bar 43 having a portion threaded in the housingI5, the end of the bar having a portion snugly fitting in a recessformed in the guide rod.

The guide rod 4| is mounted to have a bodily movement at right angles tothe direction of reciprocation of the cross head and parallel to theplane of the cross head.

In order to accomplish this, the upper end of the rod 4| extends into anenlarged opening 44 in the upper side of the housing I5 and similarlythe lower end of the rod 4| extends into an opening 45 formed in a lug46 carried by the housing l5, both openings being of greater diameterthan the guide rod. The guide rod 4| is slidably supported on pins 41having portions threaded into the housing, the lower pin extendingthrough the lug 46.

Each cross head is mounted in the same manner and obviously like theblade frames, is free to expand without causing binding action attheguides, thus permitting the use of close workingclearances and obviatingobjectionable sloppy and loose fits.

The space between the upper ends of the side frames II is unobstructedand is closed in by a removable cover plate 48, which when removedpermits the blade frames A upon removal of the nuts 32, to be bodilyremoved from the machine, so that the blades thereof may be sharpened orso that they may be replaced by other blade frames.

It is obvious from the foregoing description that I haveprovided asimple yet efficient means whereby both the blade frames and cross headsmay have closely fitting bearing guides and yet are free to expand whenheat is generated in the blade frames without any tendency to producebinding. This construction permits the blade frames and cross heads tobe rigidly secured together and to be made of the lighter metals such asaluminum and alloys thereof to reduce vibration without the necessity ofpro-- viding loose guide bearings.

Another advantage is that in providing a selfadjusting means which isactuated by the relative thermal expansion and contraction between theblade frame and the supporting means of the guide elements, and betweenthe drive cross head and the support for its guide elements, it is notso essential to machine the parts to the degree of accuracy that hasbeen necessary heretofore, as the self-aligning feature will allow forinaccuracies in machining without causing binding.

While I have shown the vertical guide rods l8 and the guide blocks I9carried by the blade frame and side frames respectively, it is to beunderstood that they may be reversed, i. e., the guide blocks may becarried by the blade frame and the guide rods carried by the sideframes.

Although a single embodiment of the invention has been herein shown anddescribed, it will be understood that numerous details of theconstruction shown may be altered or omitted without departing from thespirit of this invention as defined in the following claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a slicing machine, a pair of spaced side frames, a reciprocableblade carrying frame including cross pieces and connecting side pieces,guide bars spaced from and secured to said side pieces, apertured guidebrackets slidably receiving said guide bars, one of said side frameshaving a journal and one of said guide brackets having an extendingportion slidably mounted in said journal to permit free expansion ofsaid blade carrying frame longitudinally of said cross pieces, saidextending portion having a key element engaged with said journal toconstrain said portion to longitudinal movement only, and means forreciprocating said blade carrying frame.

2. In a slicing machine, a pair of spaced side frames, a reciprocableblade carrying frame including cross pieces and connecting side pieces,guide bars spaced from and secured to said side pieces, guide bracketshaving apertures slidably receiving said guide bars and so formed as tohold the guide bars against lateral movements therein, one of said sideframes having a journal and one of said guide brackets having anextending portion slidably mounted in said journal to permit freeexpansion of said blade carrying frame longitudinally of said crosspieces, and means for reciprocating said blade carrying frame, the otherof said brackets being rigidly secured to its supporting side frame.

3. In a slicing machine, a pair of spaced side frames, a reciprocableblade carrying frame including cross pieces and side pieces, guide barssecured to opposite sides of said blade carrying frame, apertured guidebrackets slidably receiving said bars and being carried by said sideframes, one of said brackets being movable toward and away from itssupporting side frame to permit expansion and contraction of said bladecarrying frame longitudinally of said cross pieces, and means forreciprocating said blade carrying frame, including a reciprocable crosshead, means securely connecting said cross head and one of said crosspieces, a pair of guide rods for guiding said crosshead and brackets forsupporting said guide rods, one of said rods being movable in adirection transversely of its axis to permit expansion of said crosshead.

4. In a reciprocating machine, a reciprocable cross head, a crankshaft,a connecting rod pivoted to said cross head and crank shaft, said crosshead having guide openings therein parallel to its direction ofreciprocation, guide rods within said guide openings, and means forsupporting saidguide rods, one of. said-guide rodsbelng movable in itssupporting means in a direction at right angles to the direction ofreciprocation of said cross head to permit expansion of said cross head.

5. In a slicing machine having a reciprocable blade frame, means forreciprocating said blade frame comprising a reciprocable cross head, acrankshaft, a connecting rod pivoted to said cross head and crank shaft,said cross head having guide openings therein parallel to its directionof reciprocation, guide rods within said guide openings, and means forsupporting said guide rods, one of said guide rods being movable in itssupporting means in a direction at right angles to the direction ofreciprocation of said cross head to permit expansion of said cross head.

6. In a slicing machine having a reciprocable blade frame, means forreciprocating said blade frame comprising a reciprocable cross head,means securely connecting said cross head and blade frame, a pair ofspaced guide rods parallel to the axis of reciprocation of said crosshead, bearing means on said cross head embracing said guide rods, spacedsupports for each of said guide rods, one of said guide rods beingmovable relative to its supports in a direction at right angles to saidaxis of reciprocation to permit expansion of said crosshead, and meansfor reciprocating said cross head.

'7. In a slicing machine having a reciprocable blade frame, means forreciprocating said blade frame comprising a reciprocable cross head,means securely connecting said cross head and blade frame, a pair ofspaced guide rods parallel to the axis of reciprocation of said crosshead, bearing means on said cross head embracing said guide rods, spacedsupports for each of said guide rods, the supports for one of said guiderods having rod receiving openings of greater diameter than thesupported rod, whereby the rod may move with the head during expansionor contraction thereof, said rod and support having means for guidingthe rod for such movement, and means for reciprocating said cross head.

8. In a slicing machine having a reciprocable blade frame, means forreciprocating said blade frame comprising a reciprocable cross head,means securely connecting said cross head and blade frame, a pair ofspaced guide rods parallel to the axis of reciprocation of said crosshead, bearing means on said cross head embracing said guide rods, spacedsupports for each of said guide rods, the supports for one of said guiderods having rod receiving openings of greater diameter than thesupported rod, whereby the rod may move with the head during expansionor contraction thereof, said last named supports having passages atright angles to said openings and said last named rod having projectingportions slidable on said passages to guide and support the rod duringexpansion and contraction of the cross head, and means for reciprocatingsaid cross head.

9. In a machine of the character described a fixed frame, a framemovably mounted in the fixed frame, means for reciprocating the movableframe, and guiding means interposed between the frames at each side ofthe movable frame, each guiding means comprising an elongated guidemember, and a bearing member embracing the elongated guide member andhaving a sliding fit thereon, whereby the guide member is held againstlateral movements in the bearing member, the guide member and bearingmember at one side of the movable frame being attached,

one to the movable frame and the other to the fixed frame, and heldagainst sidewise movements with respect to the frame to which it isattached, to constrain the movable frame to movement in a straight line,one member of the guiding means at the opposite side of the movableframe being fixed to one of the frames, and the other being slidablymounted in the other of the frames for free movement away from or towardthe fixed guide members.

10. In a machine of the character described, a fixed frame, a framemovably mounted in the fixed frame, means for reciprocating the movableframe, guides for the movable frame comprising elongated parallel guidemembers extending along opposite sides of the movable frame, each ofsaid guide members being fixed to one of said frames, and bearingmembers carried by the other of said frames, each embracing and having Ia sliding fit on one of said elongated guide members, whereby the guidemember is held against lateral movements in the bearing member, thebearing member at one side of the movable frame being attached to andheld against sidewise movements with respect to its frame andcooperating with its elongated guide member to hold the movable frameagainst movements lateral to its direction of reciprocation, the otherof-said bearing members being mounted in its supporting frame for freemovements in a direction at right angles to the guide members in theplane thereof.

11. In a machine of the character described, a fixed frame, a secondframe mounted for reciprocation within the fixed frame, means forreciprocating said second frame, guides for the reciprocating framecomprising guide rods extending along opposite sides of thereciprocating frame, disposed parallel to the direction of reciprocationand fixed to one of said frames, and bearing members carried by theother of said frames, in which said rods have a sliding fit, one of saidbearing members being fixed to its supporting frame and the othermounted in its frame for movements sidewise of the reciprocating frame.

12. In a machine of the character described, a fixed frame, a secondframe mounted for reciprocation Within the fixed frame, means forreciprocating said second frame, guides for the reciprocating framecomprising guide rods extending along opposite sides of thereciprocating frame, disposed parallel to the direction of reciprocationand fixed to one of said frames, bearing members carried by the other ofsaid frames, in which said rods have a sliding fit, means for rigidlysecuring one of said bearing members to its frame, and means forslidably mounting the other bearing in its frame for movements sidewiseof the reciprocating frame, said mounting means including a laterallyextending guide for holding the bearing to a straight line movement.

13. In a slicing machine having a reciprocable blade frame, means forreciprocating said blade frame including a reciprocable cross head,means for reciprocating said cross head, a support, bearing meansbetween said cross head and support for guiding said cross head duringreciprocation thereof, one of said bearing means being movable at rightangles to the direction of reciprocation of the cross head, and meansfor rigidly holding said last mentioned bearing means from movement inany other direction.

EARL C. VOLLMER.

